Damaged Passport Replacement — Form DS-11 Required
Your Passport Was Damaged? Don't Panic — We'll Fix It Fast.
Water damage, torn pages, chewed corners, or unauthorized markings — a damaged passport is no longer valid for travel and cannot be renewed by mail. You must apply in person using Form DS-11 with a signed statement explaining the damage. Fast Passport Center handles the entire replacement process: we prepare your DS-11, guide you through the damage statement, coordinate your acceptance facility visit, and expedite courier submission to the U.S. Department of State. As fast as 24 hours for emergency replacements. Don't risk being turned away at the airport — replace your damaged passport before your trip.
Replace My Damaged PassportProcessing Speeds
Choose Your Replacement Processing Speed
Same speeds as new passport applications — your damaged passport replacement gets the full expedited treatment. Select your timeline and head to checkout to see full pricing.
Hand Carry Services
Premium courier-handled submissions for the fastest possible turnaround
2–3 Business Days
Processing Time
Urgent replacement for travelers with immediate trips. Hand-courier delivery with reserved agency slot — fastest possible turnaround for damaged passport replacements.
- Hand-courier delivery to agency
- Reserved agency processing slot
- Overnight return delivery
- Dedicated case manager
- Real-time status tracking
4 Business Days
Processing Time
Expedited replacement for travelers with trips coming up in about a week. Priority courier submission with faster-than-standard turnaround.
- Priority courier submission
- Expedited agency processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Real-time status tracking
7 Business Days
Processing Time
Reliable expedited replacement for those who need their passport within two weeks. Balanced speed and value for damaged passport situations.
- Expedited courier submission
- Government expedited processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Real-time status tracking
9 Business Days
Processing Time
Accelerated processing for travelers with trips 2–3 weeks out. Faster than standard government timelines without premium pricing.
- Accelerated courier submission
- Government expedited processing
- Overnight return delivery
- Status tracking included
Smart Saver Services
Great for when you have time before your next trip.
3–5 Weeks
Processing TimeBudget-friendly option for when you have plenty of time before your next trip. Same expert document review and damage statement assistance, just standard government processing.
- Expert document pre-review & damage statement guidance
- Application preparation & assembly
- Standard government processing
- USPS Priority Mail return
The Process
How Damaged Passport Replacement Works
A damaged passport requires an in-person DS-11 application. Here's how we make it fast and error-free.
Start Your Replacement Online
Begin on our secure website. Tell us how your passport was damaged — we'll help you draft the required mutilation statement. Upload whatever you still have: a scan of the damaged passport (if legible), your photo, and your government ID. If the passport is too damaged to scan, just describe the damage and we'll guide you.
Expert Damage Assessment & Document Review
Our specialists evaluate your damage description and assess whether DS-11 is required or if you might still qualify for renewal. We review your photo, ID, and draft mutilation statement for compliance. If we spot any issues — incomplete damage statement, wrong photo specs, missing federal ID — we tell you exactly what to fix before your acceptance facility visit.
Visit an Acceptance Facility
We coordinate your appointment at a nearby passport acceptance facility. Bring your damaged passport, your signed mutilation statement, photo, ID, and prepared DS-11. The acceptance agent will seal everything and witness you sign the DS-11. Having a professional prepare your application upfront means your sealed envelope will contain everything the State Department needs.
We Expedite & Deliver Your Replacement
After the sealed envelope is returned to us, we hand-carry it to the State Department for expedited processing. Real-time tracking updates throughout. Your new full-validity passport arrives — as fast as 24 hours for emergency situations. No more worrying about being turned away at the airport.
Why Fast Passport Center
Why Trust Us With Your Damaged Passport
A damaged passport isn't just inconvenient — it can ruin a trip if you're turned away at the airport. Here's why thousands of Americans bring their damaged passports to us for fast, error-free replacement.
Damage Assessment & Guidance
Not sure if your passport qualifies as 'damaged' or just 'worn'? Our specialists will review photos of your passport and give you an honest assessment before you commit. If it qualifies for cheaper/easier renewal instead, we'll tell you. We don't upsell — we find the right path for your situation.
Mutilation Statement Assistance
The State Department requires a signed, detailed statement explaining how your passport was damaged. Vague explanations cause rejections. We'll help you draft a statement that satisfies State Department requirements — specific, honest, and thorough — so your application doesn't get held up on a technicality.
Pre-Appointment Document Check
The biggest risk with damaged passport replacements: showing up at the acceptance facility with incomplete or incorrect documents. We review everything — damage statement, DS-11, photo, ID, proof of citizenship — before you go. If something is missing, we catch it so the agent doesn't reject it.
Fast Turnaround Despite Complications
Damaged passport applications inherently take more scrutiny at the State Department. Our registered courier relationship and expedited processing channels help push your application through faster. We know which agencies process damaged passport cases more efficiently and route your application accordingly.
What You'll Need
Damaged Passport Replacement Requirements
A damaged passport requires the same documentation as a new passport — plus a signed damage statement. Here's everything you'll need. We'll review all your documents before submission to prevent rejections.
Your Damaged Passport
- Bring the damaged passport to your acceptance facility appointment — even if it's in poor condition
- Common damage: water damage, torn or missing pages, chewed corners, significant stains, unauthorized markings, hole punches not from the State Department
- Normal wear and tear (minor bending, slight fading) is usually NOT considered damage — check our FAQ below if unsure
- If your passport is merely worn but you qualify, you might be able to renew by mail instead (see renewal page)
Signed Statement Regarding Mutilation
- You must submit a signed, dated statement explaining how your passport was damaged
- Be specific: describe the circumstances (e.g., 'dropped in a pool,' 'dog chewed the cover,' 'coffee spilled inside bag')
- The statement must be as detailed as possible — vague explanations may cause delays
- We'll help you draft this statement so it meets State Department requirements
Passport Photo
- One 2×2 inch color passport photo taken within the last 6 months
- White or off-white background
- Full face, front view with a neutral expression
- No glasses (as of 2016 regulation)
- Standard passport photo requirements apply — same as any DS-11 application
Form DS-11
- Complete Form DS-11 online or by hand in black ink
- Do NOT sign the form until instructed by the acceptance agent
- Provide your Social Security number (required by law)
- Damaged passports require a NEW DS-11 — you cannot use DS-82 for renewal
- Even if your passport was issued less than 15 years ago, damage makes it ineligible for renewal by mail
Proof of Identity
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, military ID)
- If your ID is from a different state than where you're applying, bring a second form of ID
- Photocopy of the front and back of your ID (we can make this at the facility)
- The damaged passport itself may serve as proof of citizenship but not as proof of identity
Government Fees
- Damaged passport replacement requires both the application fee and the execution (acceptance) fee — same as a new passport
- No renewal discount — a damaged passport is treated like a first-time application for fee purposes
- Exact fees vary — check current fee schedule on travel.state.gov
- Our service fee is separate and covers expert application preparation and expedited courier submission
Passport Courier LOA
- A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for a courier service to submit your passport application on your behalf
- Without a signed LOA, the passport agency won't accept a courier-submitted application — this is non-negotiable
- When you sign up, Fast Passport Center sends you a pre-filled LOA along with complete step-by-step instructions
- Need a courier LOA? Click here to get started today
Important: Do NOT attempt to travel internationally with a damaged passport. Airlines and border control can refuse you entry. Even minor damage (loose stitching on the cover, small tears) is at the discretion of the inspecting officer. When in doubt, replace it. We can turn it around in as fast as 24 hours.
Questions?
Damaged Passport FAQs
Answers to common questions about replacing a damaged U.S. passport.
The State Department considers a passport damaged if it has: water damage (stains, warping, stuck pages), torn or missing pages, significant stains or discoloration, chewed corners or edges, unauthorized markings or writing, peeling lamination on the data page, a detached cover, or hole punches from anyone other than the State Department. Normal wear includes slight bending, minor fading, or small scuffs that don't affect readability. When in doubt, send us a photo — we'll assess it honestly.
Still have questions about your damaged passport? Our team is here to help.
Call 877-253-0084Don't Risk It
A damaged passport shouldn't ruin your trip.
Don't wait until you're at the airport to find out your passport won't be accepted. Replace it now — our expert team will handle the damage statement, DS-11 preparation, acceptance facility coordination, and expedited courier submission. As fast as 24 hours.
Replace My Damaged Passport Now